Rice fans intested in joining a new initiative designed to expand and broaden the base of athletic donors are invited to attend an information session in the R Room prior to the Owls' football finale with SMU on Saturday, November 17.

The Owls will host the Mustangs at 2:30 and the "Volunteering Together" information session will start at 1 pm in the R Room. The session lasts about an 30 minutes, afford attendees to be in their seats when the Owls hold Senior Day ceremonies before kickoff.

The Owl Club is seeking volunteers to join a grassroots effort to expand and broaden its base of donors. This "Volunteering Together" initiative is part of a goal to increase membership by 25% in 2012-13. Last year, the Owl Club raised $1.45 million and totaled 908 members. For 2012-13, the goal is to reach the $2 million mark in scholarship support - with an increase to 1,200 donors.

The Owl Club's mission is to directly support the overall goals of the Rice University Athletic Department by generating the funds for scholarships for our student-athletes in 16 varsity sports. It strives to embrace and engage the most dedicated Owl fans within the Rice University community to further promote the passion and camaraderie that makes the University so unique.

The volunteer program will be a structure of dedicated alumni, fans and friends working in synergy to help create a larger foundation of athletic department donors. These volunteers, representatives of the athletic department, connect, engage and ultimately solicit donations in support of the Owl Club.

We are asking each volunteer to take on the goal of adding five new members, defined as an individual who did not make an Owl Club gift last year (2011-12), for upcoming fiscal year. Volunteers have the opportunity to receive rewards for participation and new member addition. Additional opportunities will be provided during the year for volunteers to host new members at games, in hospitality areas and other athletic department functions.

For more information on the volunteer program or to RSVP for the information session please contact the Owl Club Office at 713-348-6957.